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Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we find useful to our readersWe all love to have a sunkissed body, the warmth radiating off of it. While toasting your skin in the sun is not necessarily the healthiest options, technologies in the beauty industry has definitely evolved with time. Having a guide to spray tan can definitely get you sorted on that front for good.
It goes without saying that the benefits of spray tanning are a lot better than exposing your skin directly to the sun rays for such an extended period of time. To help you through the process, we definitely have some amazing insights to share.
By the end of this article, you will have a fair share of knowledge about everything there is to know about the process of spray tanning and the pros and cons associated with it.
What is Spray Tanning?
Spray tanning is often a process by which the people with fair skin get that golden kiss of warmth on their skin.
The process is often recreated with natural products and sometimes chemical to get their brownish tint on the outer layer of the skin.
The spray that is used in the spray is just derived from dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which is nothing but a form of carbohydrate that is derived from the sugar cane and the sugar beets. Often times, some of the tanning products also contain erythrulose in it as well to ensure that the tan lasts for a longer period of time.
If you are wondering how the process works, it is dependent on the amino acids present on the surface of your skin and the chemical compounds derived from the DHA.
Is Spray Tanning Safe?
Owing to the fact that the process of spray tanning, at the end of the day, is a “chemical” process, many people have this confusion of whether or not the same is actually good enough for the body or not.
If you consider the reports from the Food and Drug Administration safe enough, they deem the process of spray tanning as safe and a good enough option for cosmetic purposes.
The only factor that does create a bit of alarm is the fact that the experts and researchers suggest not inhaling the spray tan while you are getting it. The main reason behind the same is because of the fact that the same is not deemed the best for your health.
Although there are not many studies to support the cause behind the same, it is not completely possible to skip out on inhaling the same while getting a spray tan on.
One of the best benefits of spray tanning is the fact that the same is a lot safer in comparison to sunbathing altogether. Just the only thing you need to ensure is the fact that you don’t overdo it like Ross from F.R.I.E.N.D.S did.
How Does Spray Tanning Work?
Given the fact that the majority of the spray tanning products are natural, it often does irk people’s mind as to how the same even works out.
As mentioned before, the spray tan is formulated with the combination of DHA and sometimes even erythrulose in it. The best factor about the same is the fact that they don’t necessarily impose drastic side effects as many think it would.
Coming on to how it works, it is basically because of the chemical properties involved in both the product and our skin.
In simpler terms, the amino acids which are present on our skin react with the DHA and thus imparts a darker tint on the upper layer of the skin.
How To Prepare For A Spray Tan?
Not many realize this but you don’t just decide and get a spray tan. The guide to spray tan is extensive and preparation for the process is often times one of the most important factors involved.
The last thing you want is to either get an uneven tan or get one that washes off because of the lack of prep involved in it. It is always best suggested to take your time with the process because the better you prepare your skin, the longer the tan will stay. The spray tan technically can last you from 3-10 days depending on how you take care of it.
Some of the steps involved into the process of preparation of the skin include:
Shaving or Waxing
Getting your body shaved or waxed at least 12 hours before the tanning session is crucial and important. The last thing you want is to end up with spotted tanning on your body because of the presence of hair.
It is important to ensure that you opt to get out every last hair on the skin for a seamless and natural looking spray tan. This also ensures that the spray tan will last for a longer period of time.
The reason why it is important to do the same at least 12 hours before the tanning session and not just before it is because of the fact that the same can leave behind open pores and the tan solution can cause irritation to your skin.
Exfoliate
Next on the list of preparation is to exfoliate your skin properly. This helps get rid of any kind of dirt and unnecessary particles out of the pores altogether.
Not just that, exfoliating the skin properly also ensures to get rid of the unnecessary dead skin cells that are residing on the upper layer of the skin, thus allowing the spray tan to have a smooth base to stick on to.
Moisturize
The third step into the preparation is to ensure that you moisturize the skin very nicely to ensure that it’s soft and supple.
The only factor to keep into account while doing this is to ensure that the moisturizer is light on the skin and won’t end up creating a very sticky base because this can cause problems with the spray tan to stick onto the skin and stay.
Don’t do “We’ll see what happens”
Many people have this notion that the spray tan looks the best when done fresh but that is nothing but a myth. Given the fact that the tan needs some to settle into the skin, it is important for you to give it some time and then proceed along with the same.
Spray tans are always done best at least 2 days before the main event. What this does is lets the tan settle into the skin, thus preventing it from looking very orange. It will appear more “natural” and skin like.
Many people often have this question that whether one can spray tan with makeup on and the answer is YES, they can but it is not necessarily the best option. If you are going to attend a special event, it is best to get the spray tan done, see the results that come out of it and then put on your make up accordingly.
How To Take Care Of A Spray Tan?
When it comes to how to take care of your spray tan, the process is a bit extensive and you need to follow through them very efficient if you want a spray tan that lasts. Every guide to spray tan does include this part, mainly because of the fact that this is the most important part of it.
We did mention the things one needs to do before the tanning session but to ensure that the tan stays on for an extended period of time; we do have some tips to share with you.
Getting dried completely
After the spray tan session is done with, it is important to ensure that you ask your therapist to dry down the tan completely with cold air from the dryer before you put clothes on.
It is very important to ensure that you do this because otherwise, there is no point wearing clothes just after getting a spray tan on which is wet. If required, powder it up a bit to get rid of the wetness of clamminess around the joints and folds of the skin.
Be cautious while sleeping
The hardest part about the post spray tanning session is the fact that it is hard to get everything in order while you are sleeping. You are more prone to messing up your tan while you are sleeping which is why it is best suggested to ensure that you are cautious throughout the process.
If it is a warm summer evening, it is best suggested to sleep with the fan at a full blast to prevent any kind of sweating and such.
Showers
One of the most important guides to spray tan is the fact that you need to absolutely avoid getting hot showers within 1-2 days of getting it done. It is best suggested to avoid hot showers till you are done with the event you got the spray tan for.
Additionally, shower after a spray tan is also best to be avoided until and unless the tan has gotten it’s time to bake through your skin for it to not wash off easily.
Exercising
Also exercising is suggested to be done with the utmost care and attention because the same does have the potential to end up causing an issue with your health altogether. Experts do suggest spraying on some mineral powder around your sports bra of the areas which are going to rub through because then you can keep the damage to a bare minimum.
Pros And Cons Of Spray Tanning
If you are wondering about the good sides and the bad sides associated with spray tanning, we do have a definitive guide for you to take a peek into.
Majority of the times, it is best suggested to have a better outlook into the different prospects in it to ensure that you don’t end up getting blindsided by the process.
Pros
- Spray tanning from someone professional help provide with an even tan that stays on for an extended period of time
- Opting for a professional tanning specialist helps ensure that you get a better outlook through the process and get perfect guidance through the process without any kind of issues whatsoever
- This helps to provide with seamless tanning all throughout the skin and prevents any kind of blotchy appearance on the skin
- It is actually a good option when it comes to the value for money
Cons
- The process of preparing and doing the necessary research through the process does take up quite a lot of time
- The process of spray tanning is quite expensive in comparison to self-tan
How To Remove Spray Tan?
The process of getting a tan might seem easy and quite effective but the same does come along with its fair share of “disasters”. If you are here wondering about the ways in which you can easily remove the spray tan and fix the problem, there are quite some ways to do so.
There are technically a number of ways in which one can achieve that but we are going to be sharing some of the effective ways that actually work.
Exfoliate your skin
Given the fact that the layer of the spray tan lies on the upper layer of the skin itself, the best way to get rid of the same is by opting for exfoliation of the skin. This helps in brushing off the tan and even gets rid of the dead skin cells around the upper layer of the skin.
Use baby oil
Yet another amazing way to get rid of the spray tan is by using baby oil to massage onto the skin. It will effectively bring down the orange hues of the tan. Once you have massaged it into the skin, ensure to wipe it off with an exfoliater or a cloth.
Bleach
If your spray tan has gone wrong, the best way to fight through that and fix it is by ensuring that you opt for bleach for the process. Using bleach is mainly done to get rid of the uneven tanning in the area. It helps in evening out the spray tan throughout the body to ensure that it looks amazing.
De-tanning products
There are products which can reverse the effects of a tan and make it look more natural, if that is something you are aiming for. Make sure that the products that you are opting for are actually good enough for you and won’t end up affecting your skin and imposing negative side effects.
Having a guide to spray tan does come in a lot handy to help you through the process effectively without causing any kind of confusion about the process for you. It is important to have a clear and clarified idea about the same to avoid any kind of issues and negative impacts on your skin.